Sense amplifiers as static random access memory
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorGlen E. Hush
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices related to sense amplifiers of a memory device serving as a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) resource. For example, a memory array of a memory device can be coupled to sense amplifiers. The sense amplifiers can be electrically disconnected from digit lines of the memory array. Data can be stored in the sense amplifiers. The data can be communicated from the sense amplifiers to a processing device external to the memory array and the sense amplifiers. The sense amplifiers can receive data from the processing device and, when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines, store the received data.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a memory array;
- and
- a plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to the memory array and configured to:
- electrically disconnect from a number of digit lines of the memory array;
- when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines, store first data;
- communicate the first data to a processing device external to the memory array and the plurality of sense amplifiers;
- receive second data from the processing device;
- and
- when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines, store the second data.
A method, comprising:
- storing first data in an array of memory cells having a plurality of sense amplifiers coupled thereto;
- operating the plurality of sense amplifiers in a first mode in association with sensing the first data stored in the array of memory cells;
- and
- operating the plurality of sense amplifiers in a second mode in which the plurality of sense amplifiers serve as a static random access memory (SRAM) array.
A system, comprising:
- a memory device comprising a plurality of banks, each bank comprising a respective memory array coupled to a respective plurality of sense amplifiers;
- and
- a processing device that is on-chip with and coupled to the memory device,
- wherein each respective plurality of sense amplifiers is configured to:
- in a first mode, electrically disconnect from a number of digit lines of the memory array;
- in the first mode, receive first data from the processing device when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines;
- in the first mode, store the first data when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines;
- in the first mode, communicate second data to the processing device when electrically disconnected from the number of digit lines;
- in a second mode, electrically connect to the number of digit lines of the memory array;
- and
- in the second mode, sense third data from the memory array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.